Should we be worried?

Posted by freemexy on October 29th, 2019

Research published in the New England Journal of Medicine looked at 11 million runners who had completed marathons and half-marathons between 2000 and 2010. Over the decade, 59 of the runners had heart attacks, of which 42 died, which led the NEJM to conclude that “marathons and half-marathons are associated with a low overall risk of cardiac arrest and sudden death”.

A study carried out by Canadian researchers found that running long distances may cause temporary damage to the heart, but that any ill-effects are likely to be short-lived. “I don’t think most people who are going to run a marathon need to worry,” Davinder Jassal, an assistant professor of cardiology, radiology and physiology involved with the research told The New York Times. “The indications are that nothing serious is going on.”

But Judy O’Sullivan, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, emphasises the need for proper training and says people should consult their doctors if they have any worries. “We would always advise anyone who has any concerns to visit their GP before taking part,” she said.

A recent study published in the European Heart Journal recommended that marathon runners and other endurance athletes have their hearts tested while active to avoid potential sudden death while training or competing.

Professor Andre La Gerche and his colleagues in Australia and Belgium found that problems in the way the heart’s right ventricle works become apparent only during exercise and cannot be detected when an athlete is resting.